Gone are the days of buying convenient pre-packaged snacks and letting your kids eat them on the weekends. With the recent trend of grocery prices, I know I’m not the only one saying packaged snacks are for school only!
It feels silly, I know, but for now, convenient snacks are for on the go; the rest can be for at home. When you are trying to save every dollar for that debt-free life, you know how every little bit helps.
So there you have it, 25 cheap snacks to buy in bulk that your family will love. Snacking doesn’t have to be expensive or unhealthy, and with a little bit of planning, you can make sure your family always has something delicious to munch on.
So what are you waiting for? Get shopping!
The best places to buy cheap bulk snacks, you got it wholesale clubs. My favorite is BJ’s Wholesale club because it’s close to my house, and I have multiple locations. I can’t pick between Sam’s and Costco because I love them both. Also, Sam’s is an hour away from Costco 25 minutes.
Before I even get into the best snacks let me tell you that rocking a lower grocery budget in 2023, is a challenge, but that doesn’t mean it CAN’T BE DONE! And I still stand by shopping at Aldi, Wholesale clubs, and couponing to get your grocery budget in check.
And if you want to stop reading and scroll away, WAIT! I have a membership deal for each of these here. And trust me, as a wholesale club shopper for over ten years the low membership fee you’ll pay is WORTH IT!
( All three of these links are on my other blogs- so it’s legit!)
So let’s get into some of the cheapest snacks to buy in bulk.
Amazon can be is a close second for finding deals on snacks in bulk but you need to know your prices if you want to go that route.
Mixed Nuts and Dried fruit
Nuts and dried fruit are great snacks because they’re high in protein and fiber. They come in various flavors too, so there’s something for everyone.
Trail mix
Trail mix is an excellent snack to buy in bulk because it gives you the perfect balance of salty and sweet. You can get big bags of Almonds, Chocolate chips, and other goods and then mix up as little or much as you want. I have such a sweet tooth, and having the extra protein mixed in convinces me I’m reaching for healthy snacks.
Plus, it’s super easy to make your own mix, so you can customize it to your family’s tastes. I’ve always found mixed nuts to be the cheapest price at Sam’s, BJ’s, or Costco.
Then I like to store them in these clear containers but when the kids can see the snacks, it really does help them consume the things they would normally leave behind.
Here is a similar pantry set at Sam’s.
Popcorn Kernels
Popcorn is cheap and delicious! You can buy it in bulk for around $10 for 92 ounces at wholesale clubs, and you get bonus points for making it yourself on the stove or microwave. Using an air popper like this has become a fun tradition with the kids! Amazon has kernels too!
Granola
Granola is great to buy in bulk because it lasts forever, and you can always find creative ways to use it. From breakfast bowls to trail mixes, the possibilities are endless.
Our absolute favorite granola to get is at BJ’s- it’s the Wellsley Farms Swiss Granola. So many of our Fb members have said they love it too.
Chewy Granola Bars
Alright, so I’ve tried all three store brands from Costco, Sam’s and BJ’s. The order my kids prefer is the best- Wellsley Farms ( BJ’s, Kirkland( Costco), and Members Mark ( Sam’s). Chewy granola bars are the cheapest at wholesale clubs. Yes, even compared to Aldi. You can still get a box of 60 bars for $9.69!
Veggie Chips
Veggie chips are a cheap way to get some guilt-free snacking in. You can buy them for a lot cheaper at wholesale clubs compared to places like Target and Walmart.
Beef Jerky
Beef jerky is expensive UNLESS you buy it at a wholesale club. The Kirkland bag of jerky is always $9.99 and is delicious. You can find it in bulk for a great price, or you can make your own if you’re feeling ambitious.
Fruit snacks
Fruit snacks are cheap and a best seller at wholesale clubs. They come in all kinds of flavors, and you can also find organic versions. The best part is all three clubs run specials on these so you can get these typically for under $10 a box.
Go for the store brand on these for the cheapest price.
You don’t have to opt for the kid version either. You can find healthier ones that appeal to adults too.
Raisins
A big bag of these helps to encourage your creative snacking. From making celery and peanut butter with raisins to using it in cookies, and mixing it with nuts and yogurt, the options are kinda endless. I always find the best price for Organic raisins at wholesale clubs.
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Tortilla Chips
There are so many different kinds of chips that these are one of my favorite wholesale snacks. These are cheap, with most being under $4 a bag, and easy to buy in bulk.
They’re great for making nachos, dips, and more. Plus they come in a variety of flavors so you can get something different every time.
Pretzels
You can grab a massive bin of pretzels for less than $10. You can dip it into Nutella, Peanut Butter, and cream cheese dip. Or grab a handful with freshly sliced cheese for a quick lunch.
Popcorn Puffs
You know what brand I’m talking about! Pirate’s booty is the most popular one found in wholesale clubs. I have seen other brands with different flavors at Sam’s Club once in a while. This food is great for snacking on the go.
I was shocked when I saw a tiny little bag of Pirates booty for $7 at Target! I could get double the amount of it at BJ’s for under $8!
Fruit Cups
These are cheap to buy in bulk and make great snacks for kids. They come in various mixes, so you can find something your kids will love. Our go to is the mandarin oranges and cherry mixed fruit.
Snack Mixes
Snack mixes like Chex Mix, Utz Pub Mix are all better deals at Wholesale clubs and give you a little variety. You can spice these up by adding Goldfish crackers, chocolate chips etc.
Cheese
Cheese is cheap to buy in bulk and it lasts for a long time. You can find blocks of cheese at wholesale clubs for around $7-$8, and use them to make snacks like grilled cheese sandwiches or mac n’ cheese.
We keep our big block in a plastic bag, and it lasts until it’s gone, usually about a week or so in our house, sometimes longer.
Ritz Crackers or others similar.
Using a Ritz cracker is a great cheap bulk snack. You can top the cracker with peanut butter and jelly, cheese, cream cheese; again so many little ways to spruce up a cracker and make a delicious snack.
Animal crackers are a big hit with the younger kids, and you get a huge container so it should last a long time. My kids liked the Kirkland brand the best.
Frozen Fruit Cups
These snack foods are easy for lunches when you want something healthy and sweet. Frozen fruit cups are cheap, tasty, and easy to grab on the go. I find that they are perfectly thawed when the kids have lunch.
Pudding Cups
Another cheap snack you can buy in bulk is pudding cups. They come in different flavors, so there’s something for everyone.
Oatmeal
Just a cheap bulk item that can be used in so many ways. You can make overnight oats, muffins, cookies, and so much more.
Fruit Leathers
Another cheap snack to buy in bulk is fruit leather. They come in all kinds of flavors, so you can find something. A little bit of a different spin on fruit snacks but most of the time these will have real fruit. Sam’s has a box for under $10.
BJ’s has a box of organic ones for under $13.
Whole Peanuts
Who doesn’t love a whole peanut? Okay, they may be a bit messy, but it gives the kids something to do and a snack.
I love them, and if it’s warm outside, it’s a perfect place to have the kids munch on peanuts. I can get a five-pound bag at BJ’s for under $7!
So there you have it, 25 goodies to buy in bulk that your family will love. Snacking doesn’t have to be expensive or unhealthy, and with a little bit of planning, you can make sure your family always has something delicious to munch on.
So what are you waiting for? Get shopping!